Paraplegic Freediving

[Sam..]

I was just wondering if there was any kind of records or rules for paraplegic freediving. A friend of mine is a para and I was just curious if there were any records.


Cheers, Sam.

[Spearo]

I know one, couple of years ago Yasemin Dalkilic a freediver from Turkiye, helped a paraplegic lady (trainings etc) The name of the lady is Berna Belgin she had to use a wheelchair after a carcrash that she had when she was 18 years old.
Yasemin assisted her freedive to 11 mt, divetime was 55 sec, date 24th august 2003
This is the only one I know.
Here are the links but in Turkish
http://www.yasemindalkilic.com/tr/projeler/
http://www.yasemindalkilic.com/pics/.../berna2003.pdf

[Sam..]

Thanks for the info, my mate can make 16m in tropical water, but because he we are in cold/temperate waters its not as easy for him. Id imagine he might be able to get 10m+ doing free immersion....is there anyway to get a valid AIDA approved record for him in paraplegic FI categories if one exists.


Cheers, Sam.

[Christian Engelbrecht]

I don't see a problem in inaugerating a paraplegic subdivision to freediving. AIDA's aim is to adhere to the Olympic principles, and they conduct the para-olympic games, so why not? I'd judge it.
Besides Free immersion, you think he would be interested in trying out CNF (arms only)?

[Jonas Andersson]

I also dont see a problem for a paraplegic subdivision to freediving. I think its really great and welcome everybode to be a part of our freediving world. I would judge it.

[Sam..]

Wow fantastic, ill talk to my friend and see if he would be interested in pioneering this. The only problem would be that he live in Melbourne, Australia and getting an AIDA judge there might be tricky. He would definently want to try CWNFNL(No fins, No Legs). He'd try anything. I will talk to him tomorrow then ill get back to you if he is interested.

[Christian Engelbrecht]

Check the AIDA judge list at:
http://www.aida-international.org/as...3&ObjectID=106
I found three Aussies on the list. Andy Ross is listed to live in Brisbane.
(Click Ctrl+F in Internet Explorer and search for 'AUS')

[Sam..]

Thanks Christian, ill see if I can get in touch with him. I'd just like to know what is AIDA's stance on this record being official?

[Sam..]

Sorry to be impatient but is anyone from AIDA looking at this? Or discussing it? Just like to see whats happening no rush.

Cheers, Sam.

[Christian Engelbrecht]

I have asked Bill S. about it, and he has forwarded it to the board. Seems like AIDA has fished around with this before, it may be quite complicated to initiate. There are about 100 different forms of handicaps defined in IOC's para-olympic system. Which handicaps applies to freediving? An elaborate education system could also turn out to be a logistic nightmare. I don't know.